Kilimanjaro conquest for Lancaster House manager

Lancaster House manager has just returned home after conquering the world’s largest freestanding mountain, raising over £3,200 for a local children’s charity in the process.

Tim Bell, General Manager of Lancaster House summited all 19,340ft of Africa’s famous Kilimanjaro on 21st September after a gruelling final day involving almost 21 hours of walking.

Tim, along with fellow Lancaster House staff member Nichola-Jayne Harrison as well as Tim’s paramedic sister Amanda Singleton, made the ascent in aid of North West charity Children Today.

Children Today is a North West based charity that raises funds to provide specialised life changing equipment for severely disabled children in the local area.

The ascent of Kilimanjaro is a gruelling physical challenge, with many people failing to reach the summit due to altitude sickness. Temperatures can range from 30c at the base to as low as –25c at the summit, and the team had to battle through a blizzard before finally reaching the summit.

Eight of the thirteen strong team who set off managed to complete the ascent, raising a total of over £15,000 between them. The five who didn’t reach the summit due to the effects of altitude sickness had to agonisingly turn back only a few hundred feet from the top.

Staff from Lancaster House have been supporting Children Today with a range of fundraising events already this year, from washing cars to walking on hot coals.

Tim Bell, manager of Lancaster House says:

“No amount of training in the Lake District fells can prepare you for the effects of the altitude, and at its worst it feels like your brain’s in a vice. It affects people differently regardless of physical fitness.
“The climb was physically and mentally exhausting but the trek was a truly life changing experience.”

Donations can still be made at Tim Bell’s and Nichola Harrison’s Just Giving pages or by sending a cheque made payable to Children Today to Lancaster House directly.